India, Feb. 8 -- The sounds of Kerala's Panchvadyam musical form echoed in the Kamani Auditorium as Bharat Rang Mahotsav, the annual theatre festival of National School of Drama (NSD) marked the opening of the festival, which is now in its 20th edition.

The play Karanth ke Rang , directed by Amod Bhatt, was a medley of songs composed by late B.V. Karanth, a stalwart of Kannada and Hindi theatre.

During the Mahotsav there are two distinct streaks this year - the participation of 54 colleges which will be performing street plays on different issues which are wide ranging - from Article 377 to the deteriorating conditions of roads, to terrorism and body shaming to sex education and the condition of rag pickers - all the issues occupied cen...